Local briefs

The Chatham County Democratic Committee will hold a forum Monday for Democrats competing for the Chatham County Commission District 5 seat.

Alexis Alexander, Warren Hickman, Clinton Young and Yusuf Shabazz have all qualified as candidates ahead of the July 31 primary.

No Republicans are running for the seat, currently filled by Tabitha Odell. Odell, who is not seeking reelection, was appointed in March by commissioners after her husband, Harris Odell Jr., vacated the seat following his selection as a Recorder's Court judge.

The forum is 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Live Oak Public Libraries Bull Street Branch, 2002 Bull St.

Donate fans to help heat relief

Senior Citizens Inc. is asking the community to help older neighbors avoid heat-related health risks this summer by donating new electric box fans to the organization's Annual Fan Drive.

New fans and donations can be dropped off at Senior Citizens Inc. headquarters at 3025 Bull St. between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

To qualify for a fan, seniors must be 55 or older and have an income of less than $1,000 per month. Seniors wishing to apply for a fan may come to 3025 Bull St. and provide proof of income and a photo ID.

For more information on qualifying for a fan, call 912-236-0363 or go to seniorcitizens-inc.org.

Fireworks parking

Parking for the annual Fourth of July downtown fireworks show will be available at the Savannah International Trade & Convention Center on Hutchinson Island on Wednesday.

The center's Main Parking Lot will be open for patron parking from 3 to 11 p.m. A parking fee of $5 per vehicle will be in effect Wednesday. Military personnel park free with ID.

Portable toilets will be available in the main parking lot and adjacent Bryan Square (between trade center and Westin Hotel).

Trade Center parking lots are intended for parking purposes only. Patrons are asked to refrain from setting off fireworks, using grills, fires or open-flame devices in these areas.

CAT announces July 4 schedule

Chatham Area Transit buses will operate on a holiday schedule on Wednesday. The holiday schedule is included on each of the printed route schedules and the online schedules at catchacat.org. CAT's Administrative Office at 900 E. Gwinnett St. and CAT Central at 124 Bull St., will be closed for business, meaning that schedule information will not be available over the phone and bus passes and Teleride tickets will not be available for sale.

The Savannah Belles Ferry will operate on a regular schedule with an intermission during the fireworks show on the Savannah River. The regular schedule for the ferry service will resume after the fireworks show.

Normal bus route schedules will resume on Thursday. Riders can use the Google trip planner on CAT's website www.catchacat.org to plan trips.

Free camp seeks kids

Kamp PHUN (Peace, Hope, Unity, Now) seeks to provide a camp experience for the children of current or formerly incarcerated parents.

The camp runs July 22-27 for children ages 9-11 at the Episcopal Camp and Conference Center in Waverly. The camp will provide transportation to and from Chatham County. There is no fee.

For more information, contact Cindy Coward at 912-355-0398 or goofycindy@gmail.com or Laura or Jack Kinzie at 912-925-8503 or jackkinzie@comcast.net.

Free dental care for kids

Dental services include dental cleaning, fillings and simple extractions are available free for qualified children ages 3-18 from 9 a.m. to noon Fridays at the Savannah Volunteer Dental Clinic. Located at 2230 Goodman Hall on the main campus of Savannah Tech, the clinic is staffed by volunteers from the local dental community. Call 912-429-8368 to schedule an appointment and leave a message. Children must not have private dental insurance, Peachcare or Medicaid, and parents' income must not exceed 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level ($46,100 for a family of four).

AASU deadline near

Armstrong Atlantic State University's undergraduate application deadline for fall semester is July 15.

Go to the Armstrong Online Application to get started. To find out more about Armstrong's application process, go to www.armstrong.edu or call the Admissions Office at 912-344-2503. For questions about financial aid, call the Financial Aid Office at 912-344-3266 or email finaid@armstrong.edu.

Health Department encourages registration for evacuations

Chatham County Health Department officials are encouraging those with functional or medical needs to apply to the Functional and Medical Needs Registry before a storm threatens the area.

The registry is made up of residents who may require transport and medical assistance during a hurricane evacuation and have no other resources to help.

Those on the registry will be evacuated to an American Red Cross shelter in an inland county. To apply, call 912-353-3255. The application can also be downloaded from the Coastal Health District website at: Gachd.org/emergency-preparedness. The form can be mailed to: Cathy Schmid, RN, Chatham County Health Dept., 1395 Eisenhower Drive, Savannah, GA 31406.